In the age of pandemics and lockdowns, intercultural #performance lab @organic_theatre gets it: these are weird times. And weird times call for equally weird #art. Cue their #edfringe show “Flanker Origami” in which duo @biancamastrominico & John Dean create distorted, eccentric versions of themselves. The result is the moustachioed, tux-wearing, song-loving "Flanker" and the pink-haired, dulcet-toned "Origami". *Like many of us back in 2020, Flanker and Origami seem confined to the house and have developed #dailyrituals, from dance routines to bouts of karaoke to ASMR storytelling. Clever webcam angles allow us to spy on their activities from the mundane (making tea) to the bizarre (operatic lip-syncing with a mop— we’ve all done that, #amirite?😅). In between, we’re treated to whimsical 2D rotoscope animations of the two, courtesy of @crissiejambo. The random assortment of hobbies would lack all rhyme or reason, were it not for Origami's invitation: “Where do you want to go today?” “Everywhere,” answers Flanker.*Somehow, they manage it without ever leaving the house— and they bring us along for the quirky ride through playful flights of fancy, wacky humour, awkward voyeurism and the distinct feeling that you’ve fallen down an internet rabbit hole. Note: though the show is designed for a “live” Zoom audience, we watched a pre-recorded version. Presumably, the live version also allows you to enjoy the bemusement of your fellow theatregoers as you collectively ask “WTF is going on?” 😳😳*But it’s not all zany larks and random #Zoom backgrounds— as the show goes on, more serious elements are introduced. Origami, in trademark dress and heels, poignantly muses on #toxicmasculinity, while Flanker takes on an ever more sinister quality, eventually *spoiler alert* accosting Origami with a gun. Their relationship seesaws between extremes, but somehow captures relatable nuances of #lockdownlife: finding much-needed privacy in a closet, or having a spur-of-the-moment tea party because… well, what else is there to do?*Still, beneath the wigs, funny voices and zany humour, Flanker Origami exposes a (profound?) truth of #pandemic life: strange is the new normal.